As such, we are partnering with employers throughout the nation in support of the 80 percent by 2018 employer challenge initiative, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT). The College is one of the first institutions in the nation to sign the pledge.

Despite being highly preventable, detectable and treatable, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. While incidence rates have dropped in the U.S. among adults 50 and older, an estimated 134,490 new cases will be diagnosed in 2016.

Through this NCCRT initiative, hundreds of organizations including FSCJ have committed to substantially reducing colorectal cancer as a major public health problem. The partnership is working toward the shared goal of increasing the percentage of adults age 50 and older who have regular screenings to 80 percent by 2018. If achieved, 277,000 cases and 203,000 colorectal cancer deaths would be prevented by 2030.

“On behalf of FSCJ, I would like to pledge our support as a partner in the 80 percent by 2018 effort and I hope you will consider doing the same,” Executive Chair for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics/Downtown Campus President Dr. Marie Gnage  said as she helped kick off the Metro Jacksonville Relay for Life in April of this year. “Working together, we can achieve this goal and save more lives.”

Leveraging the energy of multiple and diverse participants, 80 percent by 2018 partners seek to empower communities, patients and providers to increase screening rates among employees and their families. Along with health systems, health care providers, businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and patient advocacy groups, FSCJ has committed to getting more people screened to prevent colorectal cancer and promote early detection, when it is most treatable.

To align ourselves with the American Cancer Society, we will develop a communications strategy through which we will provide information and educational opportunities for our faculty and staff to create a heightened awareness of the matter. In addition, we plan to stress the importance of seeking recommended preventative cancer screenings, not limited to those 50 and up, but for all demographic groups across our College. 

For more information about colorectal cancer screening, visit www.cancer.org/colon or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. For more information about the 80 percent by 2018 initiative, visit www.nccrt.org.